Bhutan Snowman Trek

The most challenging mountain trek in Bhutan.

Trip Code
TREK - BHUTAN - 201
Best Season

Spring & Autumn

Trip Grade

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Max Altitude

Tso Chena (5050m/16568ft)

Accomodation

Teahouses/Lodges

Transportation

Flight/Jeep or Bus

Meals

BB/Full Board

Group Size

Any

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Introduction

Bhutan Snowman Trek is the most challenging mountain trek in Bhutan undertaken by many trekkers every season and allowed access to Lunana, a remote region of Bhutan. This trek crosses 11 different high mountain passes of more than 4,500m to define the borders of Tibet and Bhutan.

The trek highlights the views of Jichu Drake and Chomolhari by following trails via encampments of yak herders and isolated farm settlements while we prepare to trek to Lunana. Amid a consistent backdrop of 7000m height mountain peaks, we identify a region of tiny monasteries of Buddhism religion and scheduled villages, which remain isolated from the remaining areas of Bhutan for many months in a year.

Bhutan Snowman Trek Highlights

  • Bhutan Snowman Trek is a spectacular adventure trek of 30 days in
    Bhutan. With 25-days of Snowman trek into the most remote valley of the
    country.
  • By traveling in the Lunana district, Snowman trek renamed itself
    for six different mountains of more than 7,000m, beneath which the trek
    goes on.
  • We will have a short drive starting from Paro after we start in the
    Drukgyel Dzong and later on will set out heading towards Jhomolhari
    directly at 7314m, known as the third highest mountain peak in Bhutan.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival at the Paro Airport.

Our representatives will pick you at the Paro Airport and during your flight, you will get opportunities to view countless mountain peaks. During the afternoon, we let you to explore the entire town of Paro and visit the famous Paro Dzong.

Day 02: Hike to the Taktsang Monasteryr.

On the second day, you will enjoy hiking to the Taktsang Monastery, recognized as the Tiger’s Nest. Here, you will experience an uphill hike for 2 to 3 hours while passing from a lovely pine forest.

Day 03: Drive to Drukgyel Dzong and later on to Pine Camp via Army Camp (3000m/9842ft).

Today, you will have a short drive that starts from Paro towards Drukgyel Dzong, an old fort of Bhutan to begin with our trek. However, before this, we continue to move from the extended road towards the Army Camp and the beginning point of our trekking route. Later on, we head up to the Valley of Paro Chhu River, where we find the trekking trail passes from small settlements and get perfect examples of farmhouses in Bhutan and move on to the Pine Camp forest.

Day 04: Trail to Thangkthanka Camp from Pine Camp (3520m/11548ft).

Today, we will leave the Pine Camp to continue with our trail upriver to reach the Jigme Dorji National Park. For the night, we will arrange our camp in the nearby places called Thangkthanka.

Day 05: Trek to Jangothang (4040m/13254ft).

After an hour out from the camp in the morning, we will move ahead to trek across high mountains. At the midway point of our mountain hike, we will pass from a winter home of various migratory yak herders named Tengethang. Finally, our team will arrive at Jangothan at the height of 4040m to view the sunset on Mount Jichu Drake and Mount Jhomolhari.

Day 06: Acclimatization in Jangothang (Chomolhari Base Camp).

During our acclimatization, we will choose anyone among the available hiking options for us. Firstly, you may dedicate 3 to 4 hours to experience an excursion across the northern ridge to get excellent views of the famous Jichu Drake. Second, you may hike to the Jhomolhari Valley, while the third option lets you trek towards the main valley to go towards Jichu Drake. Final alternative lets you have a fishing expedition towards a high-altitude lake named Tshophu after you hike for about 2 hours.

Day 07: Trek to Lingshi from Jangothang.

You have to head uphill from Jangothang to cross major passes. With a four hours ascent, you will reach Nyile La Pass at about 4890m, while by descending another side; we will be able to encounter juniper as well as rhododendron forests and pass large numbers of herder camps. Here, we will arrive in Lingshi and set up our camp at the height of 4150m.

Day 08 & 09: Travel to Chebisa and Shakshepesa (14km)

Today, we will visit the Chebisa village after we organize our camp at Chebisa at the height of 3850m and get a glimpse of Bhutanese village life. Later on, we will cross the Gombu La Pass at 4350m and finally, descend towards the rhododendron valley. Finally, we will launch our camp at Shakshepesa located at the height of 3980m.

Day 10 & 11: Trek to Limithang via Robluthang.

We will move ahead via Jhari La Pass at about 4747m and descend towards the Tsharijathang valley to climb up to the Robluthang Camp at the height of 4160m, Later on; we will start our hike towards the Shinge La Pass at about 5000m. Later on, by descending towards Limithang, we will be able to view the Mountain Gangcheta (Great Tiger Mountain) at 6840m and the nearby glacier valley.

Day 12: Trail to Laya from Limithang (3840m/12598ft).

Today, we will climb up through the forest to get a few of the excellent views of Masang Gang and Gangcheta mountains, while finally we organize our camp at Laya located at the height of 3840m.

Day 13 & 14: Downhill Trek to Rodufu and to Narethang.

Today, we will go for a downhill trek towards the Lunana trail junction, while gradually moving towards the Rodufu camp nearby a small stream at about 4160m. Later, on our 14th day, we will experience a long hike by initially crossing 4150m to reach Tsimo La Pass and descends towards Narethang to go for a hike to the Gangla Karchung Peak.

Day 15: Trek to Tarina via Karchung La Pass (4020m/13188ft).

On this trekking day, you will experience a climb towards the Karchung La Pass located at 5240m and then go down to glacial lakes, which constitute major sources of the Tang Chhu River. Above the glacial lakes, you will find two mighty peaks named Tsenda Kang and Jejekangphu Gang before reaching the Tarina Camp at the height of 4020m.

Day 16 & 17: Journey to Woche Village (3940m/12926ft), (5 - 6 hrs) and later on to Lhedi (3600m/11811ft).

Today, we will begin our walk from conifer forests and later on climb on a ridge as well as pass through a ridge to the Woche Village at about 3940m. On the 17th day, we will go for a gradual climb from the Woche Village towards the campsite, while moving through the steep section to reach the Keche La Pass at about 4580m and drop steeply to the Village. In the afternoon, we will continue with our hike across the river valley to reach a lovely campsite at Lhedi Village.

Day 18 & 19: Trek from Lhedi towards Thanza (19km, 4080m/13385ft) and towards Danji (4600m/15091ft, 8km).

Trail on this day will give you the opportunity to pass through Pho Chhu to reach the Chozo Village and thereon, you will find the opening of the valley as you approach the village of Thanza located nearby the foot of Zogophu Camp at about 4080m. On our 19th day trek, we will visit the Danji campsite by passing from the Jaze la mountain pass. We will set up our camp at the height of 4600m to get many spectacular views of the snow-covered mountain peaks.

Day 20: Downhill Trek to Tso Chena (5050m/16568ft).

During the first part of our trek, we will experience summits to the Jaze La Mountain Pass at about 5050m and then go for a short and downhill trek towards the campsite at the Tso Chena Lake at about 4800m.

Day 21: Trek to Jichu Dramo Camp nearby Loju La Pass (4880m/16010ft).

Today, you will follow a series of gradual ups as well as downs by passing from various snow-capped mountain peaks and nearby the Loju La Pass located at 4940m before you will descend to the Jichu Dramo campsite at 4880m.

Day 22: Hard Climb to the Rinchen Zoe La Pass (5290m/17355ft) and Downhill Trek to Chukarpo (4950m/16240ft).

We will go for a hard climb to the Rinchen Zoe La Pass at about 5290m, which is the highest mountain pass available on the trek. From there, we will move downhill towards Chukarpo i.e. above 4950m at the tree line.

Day 23 & 24: Chukarpo to Thampe Tso (4200m/13779ft) and then to Maurothang Camp (3550m/11646ft).

Now, we will go for a downhill walk across the river by following our climb towards Um So lake, and later on, by continuing our trail we reach our camp nearby the Thampe Tso Lake. Later on, on the following day, we will initially have a steep climb to the mountain pass at about 4580m and finally, set up our camp in Maurothang at about 3550m.

Day 25: Trek to Sephu Village and drive to Punakha.

Today, we will have the final day of our trek, on which we will descend through Sephu village, while during the late-afternoon, we will go for our return journey to western region across the mountains to reach at Punakha.

Day 26: Return to Thimphu from Punakha.

Starting our drive from Punakha, we will reach at Thimphu today and thereby, explore the capital city of Bhutan.

Day 27: Drive to Paro.

Today, we will return to Paro and thereon, drop you to the Paro International Airport for your return journey.

 

Remember:

Our travel planner can customize the itinerary outline as per your duration of stay, purpose of holiday and your preference. Cost of the package also depends upon level of service (deluxe, standard & budget) and as per the group size. You can easily CONTACT US at any time for any queries.

Costs and Dates

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Additional Information

What is the best Time to Travel Bhutan ?

The most favorable time to travel Bhutan is during Autumn(September, October & November) and Spring(March, April & May). During these seasons the weather will be clear, flowers will bloom on the way, the charm of the atmosphere can be felt by the heart, you will get the chance to be involved in different festivals, hallucinating views of the Himalayas can be seen and including everything the trekking path will be easier and fun.

 

Is a Visa Required to trek Bhutan ?

Except the citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives all visitors will need a visa to visit Bhutan. Bhutan Trekking Permit is compulsory for all individual international tourists.

 

How long does it take to trek Bhutan Druk Yul ?

Bhutan Druk Yul trek is a journey of 8 days. This journey will start and end at Kathmandu. In between you will travel to Paro, Thimphu, Wangduephodrang and Punakha and various magnificent places . You will get a full day for sightseeing of some of the most amazing world heritage sites in Kathmandu before departure.

 

Why is Bhutan known as the land of Thunder Dragon ?

According to Tibetan and Bhutanese Mythology Durk means Thunder Dragon. They have acknowledged it as the Bhutanese National Symbol and included it on the national anthem, national emblem and national flag. In Dzongkha Bhutan is called Druk Yul "Kingdom of Druk" thus also known as Land of thunder Dragon.

 

What to wear in Bhutan ?

While on the Journey to Bhutan there are no restrictions on clothing but make sure it is comfortable and suits the environment. We recommend lightweight walking shoes, full sleeve light wool clothes, good sunglass, a hat and lastly a trekking jacket. If you are traveling Bhutan in winter we advise you to pack woolen clothes to keep yourself warm.
Note: You should try to avoid body revealing clothes as much as you can and make sure to do it while visiting cultural heritage.

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